Duality (DxD) (Part 1)

Ch 9 - What To Do

Jin continued to practice hard and he was making great strides. Ban could definitely see Jin as a prodigy. He was smart academically and naturally picked up techniques quickly. Be it Senjutsu or the Fist of Flowing Water, Crushed Rock style. With his hard practice he progressed even further and further. Developing his small but growing body to get used to the movements. Developing more control, but also more power.

Yet Jin had still not changed from this "phase" it may have got even worse because Ban really did want Jin to go home and expressed that often. He believed he would be happier there. He knew he was safer and would be more in place considering what Jin was. But he didn't know where Jin lived and he wasn't going to find out because Jin was smart enough to know why Ban would want to know. Ban could have looked online for missing people. But he was an old man. Technology was beyond him and he wouldn't know how to turn on one of those "electronic boxes."

He didn't know how to make Jin feel better. He tried to give Jin things. Toys or gifts. But Jin refused them and told him to get a refund. He didn't know what he did to Jin, but he regretted it. With only a few words. Jin lost his excitement around Ban.

Now Ban was just sitting in the living room.  Reading the newspaper at the low table and he could hear Jin training hard downstairs in the dojo.

Ban: {*Sigh* What am I going to do with him? It's nearly been half a year since he's got here. Since he's left his real home. It has also been nearly 4 months since he started acting this way and he still hasn't gotten better despite all of my efforts. He refused the toys children his age would normally like, he refused a phone, he doesn't want to go to see a movie.}

Ban continued to flick through the paper. Wondering what to do with Jin. He knew if Jin decided to stay here. He could take care if him for a while. But there was a limit for him as an old man. If someone was hiding Jins true nature, he was going to follow that path. Even if he taught Jin weird stuff, he needed to so Jin could protect himself. But if Jin could have a normal life, Ban wanted that for him.

Ban: {I need him to have a normal life. But what is a normal life? It's not like I've had much of a normal life. Heck, I may be human but I'm no normal one. Hmmmm. I'm already teaching him, homeschoolings a thing right? Yet, going to a normal school would be better for him. But he's not ready to go to one and the closest one is an all-girls school. I'd need to buy a car to drive him to the other one.}

Ban thought about taking Jin to school regardless if what Jin wanted. But Ban had no reason for that. Jin was already learning extremely well, and he knew with Jin's old and new personality, he was likely to just walk out of the school grounds if he didn't like it.

Ban: {Hobbies. Do children his age have hobbies? I guess sports count as hobbies. Football, tennis, basketball, swimming. But I don't know what he likes. On top of that he's unlikely to play team sports or ones you need to play with others. Wait... how could I forget! He was bullied! What he needs isn't an activity to keep him busy! He needs friends!}

Ban placed down his newspaper as he rushed downstairs. A board cracked under his feet because he was running so fast. Looking at Jin practicing away he stood in front of him. But Jin continued to practice hard.

Ban: Are you not even going to acknowledge me?

Jin: I'm practising old man.

Ban: I may be an old man, but my name is Ban. If you want to be formal, I'm your teacher and you are my student. I'm your master and you are my disciple. But I want you to do something.

Jin stopped in his step as the ground slightly vibrated under his foot. Unnoticed to Jin though, but not Ban.

Jin: What do you want me to do?

Ban: Go outside.

Jin looked at Ban and for the first time in a while, he expressed something. Confusion.

Jin: What?

Ban: It's a nice sunny day, it's a weekend. Go outside to the park and make some friends.

Jin: I...

Ban: This time, I'm not giving you a choice.

Ban smiled in a serious demeanour. He was going to at least try to give Jin a decent normal life if he refused to go back home. Forcing it on Jin even if he didn't want it. Jin looked at Ban, knowing if Ban wanted Jin outside, he would be there whether he liked it or not.

Jin: Fine! {Who needs friends?! I just need to prove I'm not a burden. To get stronger, better at controlling my body, better at using the technique. I'm... I'm not a burden.}

Jin walked out of the dojo whispering under his breath how "dumb" and "stupid" this was. How Ban was an old man that was taking away from his training. All while Ban watched Jin walk away. Walking past the dojo and down the street.

Ban: Ok... now lets follow him!

Ban stepped as he moved fast. Disappearing as the dojo doors flicked opened and closed.

Ban was most certainly not a normal human being.